From movies to music, 2021 was the year of Dolby Atmos
It's taken a while, but Dolby Atmos has cemented itself as the premier surround sound format -- and 2021 was the year it became nearly ubiquitous.
Hands-on review: Apple’s head-tracking for music is one weird trip
What happens when you add head-tracking to the already immersive audio experience of Dolby Atmos Music? We put Apple's tech to the test.
It’s official: You don’t need to spend more than $100 on true wireless earbuds
Not long ago, you needed to spend more than $200 on true wireless earbuds to get top-tier features like ANC and wireless charging. Those days are long gone.
MIT Media Lab’s new knitted keyboard showcases the power of smart textiles
Despite the fact that it's made entirely out of soft, pliable fabrics, MIT's knitted keyboard is even more expressive and capable than a normal keyboard.
You won’t need 17 speakers to appreciate Dolby Atmos in Apple Music
Apple's planned addition of Dolby Atmos Music tracks to Apple Music is going to be a game-changer for musicians and music lovers alike.
Why the best device for Apple’s lossless music will be an Android phone
Apple could be about to launch a hi-fi lossless tier on Apple Music. Here's why the company's own devices are less than ideal for wireless hi-fi audio.
New A.I. can identify the song you’re listening to by reading your brain waves
By analyzing your brain waves, it's possible to figure out what song you're listening to -- and a whole lot more. This project will blow your mind
How the virtual MAMA 2020 music awards show took tech to a whole other level
The 2020 MAMA music awards show was held virtually this year, and the technical manager behind the production spoke to Digital Trends about the tech involved.
38 years ago, CDs rewrote our relationship with music and primed us for 2020
Approaching 40 years since the CD made its debut, the strange thing about CDs is how they have largely faded from our nostalgic consciousness.
Five years on, Jay-Z’s Tidal is still fighting to make waves
Jay-Z's Tidal streaming service launched with an enormous publicity campaign. Five years on, it's still a bit-player. But not through lack of trying.
I went to a gigantic virtual K-pop convention, and I saw the future
Nothing compares to a live music performance or the excitement of a meet-and-greet event, but KCON:TACT 2020 came surprisingly close. This is what it was like.
Fire up your brain with DT’s ultimate work-from-home playlist
Need something to help you improve your focus while working from home? Digital Trends' ultimate work-from-home playlist is second only to a great cup of coffee.
10 celebrities that are streaming their own shows while stuck at home
At home amid coronavirus, celebs are creating shows to livestream on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
How the 2010s changed music (and listening to it) forever
My MP3 collection is better than yours. The iPod that I stocked was filled to capacity with top-shelf music. Like a goldfish, my collection grew to fill the space that allowed it. It expanded to the edges of the latest version of the iPod, as it gradually grew from 5 GB to 10 to 50 […]
A.I. musicians are a growing trend. What does that mean for the music industry?
The most prolific musical artists manage to release one or two studio albums in a year. A.I. company Auxuman plans to put out a new full-length album every single month. Welcome to the world of machine creativity. Here's why Auxuman's founder is so confident he's onto a winner.
From AirPods to Surface Earbuds, why are big tech’s earbuds so ugly?
Distinctive, sure. Pretty? Absolutely not. From Apple's AirPods and Google's Pixel Buds to the brand new Microsoft Surface Earbuds, why does it seem like big tech brands are incapable of creating a pair of true wireless earbuds that are both functional and easy on the eyes?
Dream on: The concert of the future is in Vegas, and Aerosmith leads the charge
Aerosmith has partnered with THX, L-Acoustics, 1More, and Mixhalo to provide fans with an unparalleled, tech-fueled concert experience for the band’s 50th anniversary. From deeply personal on-stage experiences to immersive, object-based surround sound, here’s how this one concert series could shape the future of live music around the globe.
Huawei’s A.I. has finished Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony, and we’ve heard it
We all know computers can be used to make music, but can artificial intelligence be used to not only generate music, but complete one of the most famous unfinished symphonies of all time? Huawei has found out, using its own AI to create the final two movements of Schubert's "Unfinished," No. 8 Symphony.
Grit and gear: How Chris Hershman went from retail clerk to music video director
Filmmaker and music video director Chris Hersman recently sat down with Digital Trends to talk video, tech and Nikon's new mirrorless. Here's how he went from working a music retail job to working with bands like NEEDTOBREATHE and Switchfoot -- and how the latest technology impacts his work.
The best albums of 2018
From blockbuster releases to hidden gems, we've spent the year listening to new music from near and far, culling that massive list into our 50 favorites. Whether you like jazz, hip-hop, rock, pop, or anything in between, these are the 50 best records of the year.
Brian Eno sets out to change music (again) with Bloom: 10 World
We always saw Bloom as musical system that could be developed further, Brian Eno says. We’d built a CD player and only released one CD. For Bloom: 10 Worlds, we’ve created ten new worlds, reimagined the app, added new shapes, colors and sounds, while quietly tinkering away with the rules behind the scenes.
It’s gonna be a long, cold winter: AT&T yanks HBO from Dish and Sling TV
The blackout of HBO on AT&T rival Dish Network and its Sling TV streaming service has raised big questions about the future of television access in a rapidly consolidating media landscape. As AT&T and Dish battle it out, the real losers could be regular consumers.
Tempow’s new Bluetooth software ties your smart home together
The latest Bluetooth protocol from French startup, Tempow, allows you to sync your smart TV, smart speakers, and Bluetooth speakers. TAP Smart is a clever piece of software with countless applications and we checked it out at IFA in Berlin.
Crazybaby’s Air 1S true wireless earbuds won’t make you look like a dork
Crazybaby has launched the Air 1S true wireless earbuds, offering considerable connectivity improvements over previous models while retaining the sleek style and supreme comfort. They won't break the bank either. Here's what you need to know about the Crazybaby Air 1S earbuds, and how they sound.
Apple Music is winning the stateside streaming war. Here’s how it beat Spotify
Apple now has more paying subscribers for its on-demand music streaming service in the United States than Spotify. Here's how Apple Music surpassed the Swedish streaming service for stateside streaming supremacy, and why it will likely continue its lead in the United States for some time to come.
The Glitch Mob spent a year making a VR experience as otherwordly as their music
EDM group The Glitch Mob has a virtual reality experience accompanying their No. 1 Dance/Electric album "See Without Eyes." In an interview, bandmember Justin Boreta delved into that, and the inner workings of the group's spaceship-style stage design known as The Blade 2.0.
Who needs a studio or label? LANY hit it big singing into a blanket
Indie-pop trio LANY went from unknown musicians Billboard charters shortly after anonymously uploading their music to Soundcloud in 2014. Now, the band has their sights set on becoming arena-rock legends and doing it without depending on streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.
Two Feet recorded a song, put it on Soundcloud, and woke up famous
Two Feet is an alternative rock artist who hit it big when his breakthrough song scored 4 million streams on Soundcloud in a matter of hours. The 25 year old discusses how it felt to have his life change in a day, why musicians don't need to go music school, and Spotify's monopoly.
Founder of Red Bull Radio talks streaming service morality and the future of radio
Many Ameri, founder of 24/7 online radio station, Red Bull Radio, speaks on Red Bull's stance on Apple Music and Spotify's removal of artists from playlists, why long-form content still matters in an age of short attention spans, and how the future of radio is podcasts.
Is laser-cut ‘HD Vinyl’ the Holy Grail for audiophiles, or just a gimmick?
Austrian music distributor Guenter Loibl wants to revolutionize the way vinyl records are made, using a precise industrial laser in the pressing process with an aim to offer increased fidelity and play time. We asked the experts: Can HD Vinyl deliver on such lofty promises, or do records already sound as good as they ever will?
Streaming music is clearly the future. Here’s why that sucks
Spotify and streaming services like Apple Music are taking over. But are we losing something valuable as we shift to on-demand music? Here’s why streaming isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Who’s next? As it snubs R. Kelly, Spotify opens a moral can of worms
Spotify recently introduced a new Hate Content & Hateful Conduct Policy, removing R. Kelly and XXXTentacion from its curated and algorithmic playlists. Apple Music and Pandora are also pulling material promoting Kelly. Is it justified? And how does this decision impact the streaming industry at large?
Adrian Younge makes music for everything from orchestras to Netflix’s ‘Luke Cage’
In speaking with musician Adrian Younge, you instantly realize his DNA is probably made up of musical notes. He proudly eschews modern digital recording techniques in favor of more time-consuming analog ones. Along with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, he created the rapturous score for the Netflix series Luke Cage.
Urban Legends wants to bring Migos and millennials into vinyl
Andre Torres, VP of urban catalog at Universal Music Enterprises, explained how Universal Music's new imprint Urban Legends plans to bring vinyl appreciation to the generations raised on streams and downloads.
Why just listen when you can play? How Moodelizer makes music malleable
Dynamic Playback is a new music format technology from Moodelizer that lets listeners manipulate songs in real time, like switching from a pop version of a song to a remixed techno version. But there's more in store for the tech.
Is Spotify too big to fail? It just went public, so we’ll find out soon
Despite a massively popular business, increasing revenues, and hefty valuation, all signs point to Spotify’s direct listing decision being a way out for early investors.
I ditched Spotify for YouTube Red with Google Play Music and never looked back
Everyone loves Spotify, but sometimes, the most popular streaming platforms just aren't enough. Here's why I switched over to Youtube Red.
Is tech finally killing radio? Don’t let iHeart’s bleeding fool you
With the two biggest radio conglomerates in America declaring bankruptcy in the past five months, it’s easy to assume the format’s days are numbered. The real story of radio’s past, present, and future is much more interesting.